News

1 In 4 Quarterly Newsletter January 2017

8 Strategies for Better Mental Health in 2017

We all have areas of our lives that we would like to improve. A new year is the perfect time to begin some new habits to benefit our mental health.

Find joy. Think about the people, places and things that make you happy. Make a list and keep it where you can see it, especially during difficult times. It will be a reminder that joy exists in your life.

Be grateful. There have been many studies that show the correlation between gratitude and an individual’s well-being. Get into the habit of starting or ending the day with something you are grateful for. Write it down in a notebook and review it from time to time. Expressing gratitude changes our focus in a more positive direction.

Make amends. Have you caused someone distress, intentional or not? Could that someone be yourself? Even situations that are long past, holding on to old grievances can hold you back from enjoying the present and having a better future. When it is safe and possible, make amends to those you have wronged. Understand that the act of making amends isn’t always met with a warm embrace. How the other person chooses to respond to your intention is not your business. What is important is that you do the “next right thing”.

Be kind to yourself. We are our own worst critics. Be aware of how you talk to yourself. If you wouldn’t talk to your best friend in that manner, why would you talk to yourself like that? You owe it to yourself to speak highly of yourself.

Turn it off. Turn off your phone, television, radio, computer, iPad…anything that prevents you from being self-aware and aware of your surroundings. The world will not end if you don’t turn on electronics for a day.

Do something for someone else. Get out of yourself. Do something for someone without any expectation of anything in return. Give freely.

Don’t place expectations on others. You only have control over yourself and your emotions. By placing expectations on others we set ourselves up for disappointment.

Make your support system stronger. Gather your friends together on a regular basis for dinner, a bike ride or just to sit and talk. Nurture one another.

Aspire Exceeds $96 Million in Revenues

Aspire and its affiliates completed the fiscal year on June 30, 2016 with a surplus of $1.2 million. This amount represents less than 1% of our total revenues for the year. Normally, non-profit companies strive for about a 3% surplus each year. Much of Aspire’s surplus is attributed to the accounting treatment of donated houses for some of our residential programs, which count as income but do not yield cash to spend.

Aspire is a strong company and achieved $96.7 million in total revenues for the 2016 Fiscal Year. When Aspire was formed three years ago revenues only totaled about $85 million. We have seen considerable growth in that time. Revenue from the State of Florida contracts continues as our largest source reaching nearly $34 million. Client fees, mostly from the Medicaid and Medicare programs, total $32 million and grants and other contracts such as the City of Orlando, Osceola County and Orange County funding makes up the remaining $30+ million of revenue.

The financial strength of Aspire has allowed the Company to make significant improvements to buildings and other assets. In FY2015-16Aspire expended over $5 million on capital projects, which included upgrades to current facilities as well as added bed capacity to enhance future revenue growth and to accommodate the growing needs of the Central Florida population.

Aspire Opens New Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

In November, Aspire Health Partners completed a $4.2 million renovation of the 3rd floor of the Princeton Plaza Hospital at 1800 Mercy Drive in Orlando. The renovation allows Aspire to open 34 new inpatient psychiatric beds. This much needed expansion will help meet Central Florida’s growing need for quality mental health services.

Costume Gala Success

The 2016 Aspire Health Partners Costume Gala Dinner & Auction was a tremendous success. More than 300 people attended this year’s gala which took place on October 29th at the Rosen Plaza on International Drive. American Music Award Winning Artists, VILLAGE PEOPLE took to the stage and raised the roof as Aspire worked to raise awareness about behavioral health and to raise funds to support programs throughout the agency. Additional photos from the gala are available on the Aspire Health Partners Facebook Page.

Governor Scott Recognizes Aspire

Florida Governor Rick Scott extended his appreciation to all of the behavioral healthcare organizations who provided support to the community in the aftermath of the Pulse Tragedy. During a recent visit to Orlando, Governor Scott met with some of the Aspire staff who were on the front lines immediately following the tragedy and presented each of them with the “Governors Medal of Unity”.

“Chip In” for Behavioral Health

The 2017 Aspire Health Partners Open Golf Tournament will be held Monday, May 8, 2017 at Timacuan Golf Club located in Lake Mary, Florida with an 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start. Last years’ golf tournament raised $25,000 for Aspire programs. To play or for information about sponsorship, please contact Mark Cady-Archilla at 407-875-3700, ext. 3231.

Volunteers are Amazing

Every donation of time and goods to Aspire Health Partners helps Aspire to allocate funds that would normally be attributed to those needs, to other areas of patient care.

On November 16th, KPMG provided Aspire with more than $5,000 in hygiene and sock packages for Aspire’s clients as part of KPMG’s Annual Volunteer Project. Photographed are Sherie Wildermuth, Director, Women’s Residential Orange, Teresa Kolb and Kent Went of KPMG and Aspire’s Bob Turner,as KPMG receives a plaque of appreciation from Aspire Health Partners.

For the 3rd year in a row, KPMG has chosen to support Aspire as the non-profit organization for district seven. KPMG stated that they really believe in Aspire’smission and ask that Aspire stay the course, because the respect and dignity of the people we serve really makes a difference.

If you would like to volunteer for Aspire, please contact Bob Turner at 407-875-3700, ext. 3227.